Intended Population

Method of Use

8 functional walking tests are performed by the subject and marked out of three according to the lowest category which applies. 24 is the total individual score possible. Scores of 19 or less have been related to increase incidence of falls.

Instructions: Begin walking at your normal pace (for 5'), when I tell you “go,” walk as fast as you can (for 5'). When I tell you “slow,” walk as slowly as you can (for 5').

Grading: Mark the lowest category that applies.

(3) Normal: Able to smoothly change walking speed without loss of balance or gait deviation. Shows a significant difference in walking speeds between normal, fast and slow speeds.

(2) Mild Impairment: Is able to change speed but demonstrates mild gait deviations, or not gait deviations but unable to achieve a significant change in velocity, or uses an assistive device.

(1) Moderate Impairment: Makes only minor adjustments to walking speed, or accomplishes a change in speed with significant gait deviations, or changes speed but has significant gait deviations, or changes speed but loses balance but is able to recover and continue walking.

(0) Severe Impairment: Cannot change speeds, or loses balance and has to reach for wall or be caught.

3. Gait with horizontal head turns _____

Instructions: Begin walking at your normal pace. When I tell you to “look right,” keep walking straight, but turn your head to the right. Keep looking to the right until I tell you, “look left,” then keep walking straight and turn your head to the left. Keep your head to the left until I tell you “look straight,“ then keep walking straight, but return your head to the center.

Instructions: Begin walking at your normal pace. When I tell you to “look up,” keep walking straight, but tip your head up. Keep looking up until I tell you, “look down,” then keep walking straight and tip your head down. Keep your head down until I tell you “look straight,“ then keep walking straight, but return your head to the center.

Instructions: Begin walking at your normal speed. When you come to the shoebox, step over it, not around it, and keep walking.

Grading: Mark the lowest category that applies.

(3) Normal: Is able to step over the box without changing gait speed, no evidence of imbalance.

(2) Mild Impairment: Is able to step over box, but must slow down and adjust steps to clear box safely.

(1) Moderate Impairment: Is able to step over box but must stop, then step over. May require verbal cueing.

(0) Severe Impairment: Cannot perform without assistance.

7. Step around obstacles _____

Instructions: Begin walking at normal speed. When you come to the first cone (about 6' away), walk around the right side of it. When you come to the second cone (6' past first cone), walk around it to the left.

Grading: Mark the lowest category that applies.

(3) Normal: Is able to walk around cones safely without changing gait speed; no evidence of imbalance.

(2) Mild Impairment: Is able to step around both cones, but must slow down and adjust steps to clear cones.

(1) Moderate Impairment: Is able to clear cones but must significantly slow, speed to accomplish task, or requires verbal cueing.

(0) Severe Impairment: Unable to clear cones, walks into one or both cones, or requires physical assistance.

8. Steps _____

Instructions: Walk up these stairs as you would at home, i.e., using the railing if necessary. At the top, turn around and walk down.

Grading: Mark the lowest category that applies.

(3) Normal: Alternating feet, no rail.

(2) Mild Impairment: Alternating feet, must use rail.

(1) Moderate Impairment: Two feet to a stair, must use rail.

(0) Severe Impairment: Cannot do safely.

TOTAL SCORE: ___ / 24

Scoring

A four-point ordinal scale, ranging from 0-3. “0” indicates the lowest level of function and “3” the highest level of function.

Evidence

Dynamic Gait Index, the 4-item Dynamic Gait Index, and the Functional Gait Assessment show sufficient validity, responsiveness, and reliability for assessment of walking function in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation, but the Functional Gait Assessment is recommended for its psychometric properties[4].

Reliability

The DGI showed high reliability and showed evidence of concurrent validity with other balance and mobility scales. It is a useful clinical tool for evaluating dynamic balance in ambulatory people with chronic stroke[5].

DGI total scores, administered by using the published instructions, showed moderate interrater reliability with subjects with vestibular disorders. The DGI should be used with caution in this population at this time, because of the lack of strong reliability[6].

The DGI is a reliable functional assessment tool for multiple sclerosis that correlates inversely with timed walk, showing its concurrent validity[7].

Validity

The DGI, although susceptible to ceiling effects, appears to be an appropriate tool for assessing function in healthy older adults[8]

The content on or accessible through Physiopedia is for informational purposes only. Physiopedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified healthcare provider. Read more